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Will my dental implant look like my natural teeth?
Patients considering dental implants often wonder whether their tooth replacement will look natural, and blend well with their existing teeth.
At Ottawa Downtown Dentist, we understand you may have concerns or be nervous about getting a dental implant, but we want to help set your mind at ease – dental implants are designed to look and feel very similar to your natural teeth.
The aesthetic aspects of replacement teeth is bound to be one of you foremost concerns, particularly if you require implants for your front teeth. After all, this oral surgery will likely require months to heal between stages - so you will want the result to look and feel natural!
Whenever we can, we like to help answer questions, address concerns and help our patients set expectations about what life with implants will be like and how they will look and feel.
How can you make my dental implant look as natural as possible?
In some cases a bone graft will be required to ensure that the jawbone is strong enough to support the permanent addition of a dental implant. The bone that will be transplanted during the grafting procedure will help to add volume and density to your jaw in the area where bone loss has occurred.
Once your jawbone has healed from the grafting procedure and is ready, your dentist will surgically place the implant to ensure proper placement.
Next, the dentist will take dental impressions of your teeth so a custom-fitted tooth replacement can be made. There are various tooth replacement options that can be attached to a dental implant depending on your unique needs. Your tooth replacement may be a bridge, crown or denture. Since each person's teeth are a slightly different shade, your dentist will take care to match the color, size and shape of your existing natural teeth.
For many people, the aesthetic aspect of dental implants is one of the most important reasons for replacing missing teeth. Every characteristic from the material the tooth replacement is made of to the lab tech making the crown will impact how natural the dental implant appears.
These effective tooth replacements are made to last a lifetime. Caring for your implants properly, with thorough oral hygiene practices and regular visits to the dentist for exams and cleaning, will help to improve the longevity of your dental implant.
Once your dental implant has been placed and the tissue has healed, a casual observer will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between your dental implant and your natural teeth.
Plus, replacing missing teeth will also protect your oral and overall health by preventing surrounding natural teeth from shifting to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. The dental implant will also preserve your facial structure, preventing the 'sunken' look that can result from missing teeth.